Inflatable Ride-on Toy Animals

ABSTRACT

An animal-like inflatable toy figure comprising a hollow volume of air-impervious material shaped to form the body, head, fore and hind legs, and back. The body of the animal is comprised of a rotund belly that serves as the base of the toy and a back portion for receiving a rider. The ball shaped belly facilitates a bouncing and rocking motion, which allows the child to move around while ridding on the back of the toy. The toy entertains the child while teaching balance as well as hand-eye coordination.

This application claims priority from provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/562,970, filed Apr. 16, 2004, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air-inflatable toys.Specifically, it relates to a three-dimensional, inflatable toy that isshaped like an animal having a body portion with legs, a head portion, arotund belly as its base and a handle, such that a child can sit on theinflatable animal's back and rock back and forth, bounce up and down, ortranslate by means of bouncing.

BACKGROUND

Inflatable plastic toys shaped like animals exist in the prior art. Mostof the prior-art inflatable toys are small, hand held toys, whichchildren can carry around. Larger, inflatable animal toys, some as bigas children, have become popular as well. The prior art inflatablethree-dimensional toys were usually used for posing, fantasy play, orfor display purposes. There are also some stationary prior artinflatable toys that were designed to be sat on by children but notridden (i.e. bounced or rocked by) by children. The present inventionrelates generally to an inflatable toy that children can ride, whichallows the rider to rock or bounce the toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable toy animalthat bounces and rocks at the direction of a mounted user comprises: ameans for bouncing and rocking the toy, the means comprising a rotundbase, wherein at least a portion of the base is inflatable; a seatportion extending from atop the base; a front portion extending from atleast one of the base and the seat portion, the front portion includingresembling an animal head; a plurality of legs extending from the base;a user grasp, the grasp comprising a handle, rope, bridle, rein, collar,ear, mane or hair; and an air valve.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable toy animalthat bounces and rocks at the direction of a mounted user comprises: ameans for bouncing and rocking the toy, the means comprising ananimal-shaped body having a rotund base, wherein at least a portion ofthe base is inflatable; a means for sitting on the toy, the meanscomprising a seat portion of the body; a means for a mounted user tograsp the toy; and a means for inflating the toy, wherein the bodyincludes a front portion that resembles an animal head and extends fromat least one of the base and the seat portion.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, an inflatable toyanimal kit comprises: an inflatable toy animal that bounces at thedirection of a mounted user comprising: a means for bouncing the toy,the means comprising a rotund base, wherein at least a portion of thebase is inflatable; a seat portion extending from atop the base; a frontportion extending from at least one of the base and the seat portion,the front portion resembling an animal head; a plurality of legsextending from the base; a user grasp, the grasp comprising a handle,rope, bridle, rein, collar, ear, mane or hair; and an air valve; and atleast one accessory selected from the following list: a hair brush; ahair braid; a hair clip; a hat; a saddle; a rug; a blanket; a bodycover; a leg wrap or cover; a pair of stirrups; shoes; gloves; a saddlepack; a halter; a bridle; a rein; a bit; blinders; a hat; a beret; ahead band; a scarf; a collar; a rope; a costume; or armor.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the air-inflatable toy animal, depictinga horse, of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the air-inflatable toy animal, depictinga bull, of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1showing an internal compartment;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy horse of FIG. 1showing an air valve;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7showing an air valve; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the inflatable toy bull of FIG. 7showing an internal compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-16 show an inflatable toy animal 10 that has a rotund or roundedbase 20, which resembles a portion of a ball, with the remainingportions of the toy shaped to resemble an animal, such as, for example,a horse in FIGS. 1-6, 13-14 and a bull in FIGS. 7-12, 15-16. At least aportion of toy 10 is inflated with pressurized air (other gases orliquid may be used), facilitating the use thereof for rocking(rotating), bouncing, or translating activities. Toy 10 may be designedto have a realistic look to aid children in imagining that they areriding a real animal. The animal may be a non-fictional animal includedwithin the kingdom Animalia (which includes insects). For example, thetoy 10 may comprise a horse, bull, dog, cat, ant, or grasshopper. Theanimal may also be a fictional animal, such as, for example, a dragon orunicorn. It is also contemplated that the toy 10 can be designed toresemble any other animate or inanimate object.

The toy 10 generally comprises a base 20, a seat or mounted portion 30,a front end portion 40, and a grasping portion 50. The toy 10 may alsocomprise a rear end portion 60, legs 70, and an internal chamber orcompartment 80. In the present embodiment, a plug and stopper (or airvalve) 12 is used to facilitate inflation and containment of thepressurized air within toy 10. Valve 12 may be located anywhere on toy10, and may be tucked or collapsed into toy 10, to deter any accidentalcontact or opening of valve 12. It is contemplated that valve maycomprise any commercially known inflation and containment means,including, for example, rubber, polymeric, or metal valves. Depending onthe type of valve (inflation and containment means) used, valve 12 maybe integral (maintained in a fixed relationship as a single unit) ormonolithic (forming as a single uniform structure) with toy 10 oroperably attached to toy 10, each using any commercially known means,such as by molding, adhesive bonding, stitching and sealing, or heatbonding.

Toy 10 may be integrally formed (where all parts are maintained in afixed relationship as a single unit), monolithically formed (as a singleuniform structure), or it may operably formed, each using anycommercially known means, such as, for example, any molding process(including injection molding), adhesive bonding, stitching and sealing,or heat-bonding. Toy 10 should be sufficiently strong to support theweight of a user, such as a child or adult, without collapsing,bursting, or separating. This will largely be a function of: theintended user (child or adult); type of material used to manufacture thetoy 10; whether toy 10 is integral, monolithic, or operably formed andthe specific forming process used; and the size and shape of base 20.Also, the material must be reasonably impervious to air leaks andseepage.

Toy 10 can be made from any commercially known material that provides aninflatable structure that can be bounced, especially polymeric orelastic materials, such as natural rubber, latex rubber, non-latexrubber, nitrile-butadiene or acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), or anNBR/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blend. Certain materials, such as non-latexrubber, may be used to provide a hypoallergenic toy 10. Toy 10 may behomogenous or heterogeneous (whether or not integrally, monolithically,or operably formed), where at least a portion of toy 10 is formed fromthe materials mentioned above; however, certain portions of toy 10 maybe formed from other materials, such as, for example, wood, synthetichair, or metal.

Base 20 is the lower portion of the toy 10, the portion that contactsthe ground or water and generally forms the belly of the animal;however, it is contemplated that toy 10 may depict an animal in anyposition, such as, for example, on its back or on its buttocks.Therefore, in the first example, base 20 would represent the animal'sback, and not its belly. Generally, at least a portion of base 20 isinflated with pressurized air. The rotund or rounded shape of base 20contributes to the ability of toy 10 to rock back and forth. As the usershifts his or her weight forward, toy 10 rolls upon the front portion ofbase 20, which then deforms. The same happens to the rear portion ofbase 20 when the user shifts his or her weight backward. Further,because at least a portion of base 20 is inflated and pressurized toform a tensile structure, it deforms under load and facilitates bouncingand translation of toy 10. As base 20 deflects under load, asubstantially flat contact patch forms where base 20 contacts theground. Together, the inflated tensile structure and the contact patchprovide stability to a user during rocking, bouncing, or translationactivities. It is contemplated that base 20 may include a sphere-likeinternal chamber or compartment 80, which is inflated with pressurizedair and performs similar to base 20 as described above. Internal chamber80 may comprise a separate structure that is operably attached to thebody, such as along the base, or it may comprise a portion of base 20,being integral or monolithic therewith. The sphere-like shape mayprovide more uniform or predictable rocking, bouncing, and translationalmovements, including spring rates, about the exterior surface of base20. The pressurized air returns the inflated toy animal 10 back to itsoriginal shape, as the weight of the user is shifted away from toy 10.

Seat 30 provides a place upon which a user can sit. Here the user canrock back and forth to simulate the natural gait of any animal,including a horse or bull, or can bounce upon and with toy 10. Bouncingmay occur in a purely vertical up and down manner, or bouncing may occurin a plane not perpendicular with the ground (angular) and therebyfacilitate the translation of toy 10 across any surface. Seat 30 may becupped or curved to provide a more stable place for a user to sit. Seat30 generally represents the bare back of an animal; however, seat 30 maycomprise a saddle, blanket, rug, or the like. Seat 30 may also include ahump 32, depicting a feature of an animal's back, such as the hump onthe back of a camel or bull. Further, as stated above, toy 10 may depictan animal in any position, such as, for example, depicting the animal onits back. Therefore, in the example, seat 30 would depict the animal'sbelly.

Front end 40 extends from the rotund base 20 and/or seat 30. Front end40 generally represents the head 41 of any desired animal, including anyincluded head and facial features such as, for example, eyes 42, ears43, nose 44, mouth 45 (which may include a tongue and at least onetooth), hair (or mane) 46, forelock 47, or horns 49. Hair (or mane) 46and forelock 47 may be natural or synthetic hair, which can be combed,braided, and washed, or molded material integral or monolithic with toy10 or front end 40. Front end 40 may also include a neck 48. Allfeatures may not be included, such as, for example, when a molded hair46 or forelock 47 covers an eye or eyes, the covered eye or eyes may notbe included. Also, for example, if a mouth is depicted open, teeth and atongue may be shown. Other items may be integral or monolithic withfront end 40, such as, for example, a hat, a hood, a head band, a scarf,glasses, a beret, hair clips, etc. Toy 10 may include a grasping portion(or means for grasping) 50, which allows a user to securely grasp toy 10and balance himself or herself upon toy 10. Grasp 50 may comprise, forexample, a handle, a bridle, reins, or a rope, which may be integral ormonolithic with toy 10. Grasp 50 may also comprise any other existingfeatures on toy 10, such as, for example, ears 43 or hair 46, or asaddle, hat, scarf, etc.

Toy 10 may include a rear end 60 and legs 70. Rear end 60 generallyrepresents the back side of an animal, and includes, for example, theanimal's buttocks 62 and tail 64. Tail 64 may be natural or synthetichair, which can be combed, braided, and washed, or molded materialintegral or monolithic with toy 10 or rear end 60. Legs 70 extend fromtoy 10 separately or in pairs, such as from base 20, front end 40,and/or tail 60. Legs 70 may include any number of legs, such as, forexample, two front legs and/or two rear legs. Legs 70 may be aestheticor structural, meaning legs 70 may operate as safety stops and limit therotation, rocking, or bouncing of toy 10. Legs 70 may also include legcoverings or wraps, which may be integral or monolithic or operablyattached to legs 70. Finally, the ends of legs 70 may include hooves orfeet 72, which may resemble the natural hooves or feet of the depictedanimal, or may form shoes or include horseshoes.

Toy 10 may include separate accessories, which may be used inconjunction with and/or placed upon toy 10. Accessories may include abridle, a halter, reins, lead rope, a collar, and a pair of stirrups,which the user could use to grasp, secure, or balance himself or herselfupon toy 10. Accessories may also include any other accessory used withan animal, for example, a saddle (English or western), a blanket, a rug,armor, a costume, hats, headbands, berets, a pair of glasses, a bodysheet or cover, leg covers or wraps, shoes, gloves or mittens, a sweateror coat, a pack such as a saddle pack, and grooming accessories (such asbrushes, combs, and hair clips). Accessories may be separate from toy10, or each accessory may be incorporated into toy 10 as a portionthereof, as mentioned above, where it may be joined with toy 10 orformed integral or monolithic therewith. Toy 10 may include a separatedocking station, where it can be placed in a stationary position,including, for example, in a vertical position, when not being used.Docking station may function like and resemble an egg carton, meaning itmay have a concave pit-like recession for placing base 20. Station mayalso be themed and may resemble, for example, a pasture, stable, barnstall, garden, dog house, bird cage, castle, etc.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to thepresent embodiments, it will become apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications of the present embodiments of the inventionas described herein can be made without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An inflatable toy animal that bounces at the direction of a mounteduser, the toy comprising: a means for bouncing the toy, the meanscomprising a rotund base, wherein at least a portion of the base isinflatable; a seat portion extending from atop the base; a front portionextending from at least one of the base and the seat portion, the frontportion including resembling an animal head; a plurality of legsextending from the base; a user grasp, the grasp comprising a handle,rope, bridle, rein, collar, ear, mane or hair; and an air valve.
 2. Thetoy of claim 1, further comprising a rear portion extending from atleast one of the base and the seat portion.
 3. The toy of claim 2,wherein the rear portion includes a tail.
 4. The toy of claim 2, whereinthe rear portion includes at least one buttocks.
 5. The toy of claim 1,wherein the base includes an inflatable internal chamber, the chamberbeing sphere-like.
 6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the front portionincludes at least one ear, eye, nose, mouth, or neck.
 7. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the seat portion is cupped to help constrain a userupon the toy.
 8. The toy of claim 1, wherein the seat portion resemblesthe back of an animal.
 9. The toy of claim 1, wherein at least the baseis made from any polymeric material, elastomer, rubber, latex rubber,non-latex rubber, NBR, or a mixture of NBR and PVC.
 10. The toy of claim1, wherein the toy is monolithically formed.
 11. The toy of claim 1,wherein the toy is integrally formed.
 12. The toy of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of legs includes a pair of front legs and a pair of rearlegs extending from the base.
 13. The toy of claim 1, wherein theplurality of legs extend from the base dimensioned and sized such thatthe legs do not touch the ground when the toy is vertically oriented.14. The toy of claim 1, further comprising accessories that are operablyattached to the toy.
 15. An inflatable toy animal that bounces at thedirection of a mounted user, the toy comprising: a means for bouncingthe toy, the means comprising an animal-shaped body having a rotundbase, wherein at least a portion of the base is inflatable; a means forsitting on the toy, the means comprising a seat portion of the body; ameans for a mounted user to grasp the toy; and a means for inflating thetoy, wherein the body includes a front portion that resembles an animalhead and extends from at least one of the base and the seat portion. 16.The toy of claim 15, further comprising a rear portion extending from atleast one of the base and the seat portion.
 17. The toy of claim 15,wherein the means for sitting is cupped to help constrain a user on thetoy.
 18. The toy of claim 15, wherein the base includes an internalchamber, the chamber being sphere-like.
 19. An inflatable toy animalkit, the kit comprising: an inflatable toy animal that bounces at thedirection of a mounted user comprising: a means for bouncing the toy,the means comprising a rotund base, wherein at least a portion of thebase is inflatable; a seat portion extending from atop the base; a frontportion extending from at least one of the base and the seat portion,the front portion resembling an animal head; a plurality of legsextending from the base; a user grasp, the grasp comprising a handle,rope, bridle, rein, collar, ear, mane or hair; and an air valve; and atleast one accessory selected from the following list: a hair brush; ahair braid; a hair clip; a hat; a saddle; a rug; a blanket; a bodycover; a leg wrap or cover; a pair of stirrups; shoes; gloves; a saddlepack; a halter; a bridle; a rein; a bit; blinders; a hat; a beret; ahead band; a scarf; a collar; a rope; a costume; or armor.
 20. The kitof claim 19, further comprising a base for storing the inflatable toywhen the toy is at least partially inflated.